DJ Q&A: Cryssina Loflin Fadden

CLF: I grew up in a very small, agricultural town about 30 miles north of Bakersfield, called McFarland. Beginning at the age of 3, I danced and studied ballet. For over 13 years, dance was my life and it was my dream to be a dancer for the New York City Ballet; however, at the age of 16 I got injured and that dream slowly faded. After high school, I worked with my parents to establish a home cleaning franchise in Bakersfield and San Mateo. Through working in San Mateo, I met my future husband and moved up to the Bay Area where I was able to gain a broader sense of art and culture through my visits to museums such as the de Young and the Legion of Honor. My family is full of quiet creatives and I hope through my floral experiences I can make them proud.

DJ: How did you come to be a floral designer?

CLF: My path found me a bit by chance. While I was working at a Starbucks in a chain grocery store in San Diego, a position opened up in the floral department. My now husband encouraged me to apply and I got the job. I fell in love and knew no matter how challenging or difficult the days may be, this was my calling. Within six months a floral manager position opened up at another location. I was recommended by the store manager and transferred to run my own department. My holiday team and I successfully grew the department from last in division sales to continually being in the top five. We moved back to the Bay Area a year after COVID and I started attending the floristry program at City College of San Francisco. During this time I got the opportunity to present “floral fashions” at the de Young Museum during Bouquets to Art. My professor, Steven Brown, was contacted by a local San Francisco flower shop looking for someone to hire. Once again, I was recommended and started working at bloomers, one of the premier flower shops in the city. I am forever grateful for my wonderful partner who saw the spark of joy that floristry gave me and for his continued encouragement in seeking new avenues and adventures to help grow my passion.

DJ: How were you selected for participation in Bouquets to Art?

CLF: Each year floral artists are invited to apply; however, due to the limited number of artworks, only a few are chosen. It is my understanding that once you have shown in the event you are more likely to be able to return. I was able to present two full outfits made of florals under the City College of San Francisco umbrella and then applied to present during the event under my own name in 2024 and got accepted. I did not participate in 2025 as I was on my honeymoon.

DJ: What work of art will you be interpreting?

CLF: “A Corner of My Studio” By William Merritt Chase at the de Young Museum.

DJ: How were you matched with that painting?

CLF: The floral artists invited to Bouquets to Art attend a “selection day.” We are able to move freely about the museum during a day that it is closed to the public and observe which pieces of art have been set aside for the exhibit. This allows us to take videos and photos of each art piece that speaks to us. We are able to choose six pieces of art that we would most like to interpret. After that, it is up to the selection committee.

DJ: Are there limitations as to the materials you may use?

CLF: The limitations of what we are able to use in the museum are pretty strict. Items such as fabric, seed pods, preserved woods and even baskets are not allowed as they may cause harm to the existing masterpieces. The museum does allow some adjustments to these guidelines but special approval must be given by the museum and the committee.

DJ: Set up day is March 2. How long will it take you to put your piece in place and how often during the run of the event will you refresh the arrangement?

CLF: Set up will last from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and I typically use the whole time allotted to assure every last detail and bloom is in its place. In the past, I have refreshed my piece every other day or every third day. We are given the option to refresh one hour before the museum opens or one hour after the museum closes each day. The museum does also have a committee that will reach out to you if the piece is in need of refreshing. I do appreciate this, as the piece is a representation of me, and I want it looking its best at all times.

DJ: What do you hope people will feel — or think — when they encounter your work?

CLF: I hope my piece will evoke senses of understanding, joy and thoughtfulness

BOUQUETS TO ART. Underway from March 3-8, Bouquets to Art features leading floral designers who transform the galleries with innovative botanical interpretations of de Young Museum and Legion of Honor artwork. Each bouquet is displayed next to the painting, sculpture or object that inspired it, so visitors can see how the flowers echo the colors, shapes, mood or story of the artwork. For more information or tickets visit https://www.famsf.org/exhibitions/bouquets-to-art-2026.